As the Process Execution Team Lead and Head of Manufacturing for our Coppell Supply Site at AstraZeneca, I currently lead the manufacturing and technical teams responsible for the sole manufacture of a medicine that reaches millions of patients worldwide. I also drive strategy and operational excellence initiatives including safety, quality, lean manufacturing, while reinforcing our commitment to making the site a great place to work. I work across site teams to maximise our manufacturing resources and assets while building a platform to ensure long term growth and supply of our medicine in anticipation of current and future patient needs.
I have more than 15 years of experience in Process Engineering and Technology at AstraZeneca and other large biopharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing companies. During this time, I have gained experience in downstream manufacture of biologics medicine, organic and inorganic chemical manufacturing, aseptic manufacturing, validation, process development and design.
I am passionate about lean leadership, talent management, and building a highly motivated, high performing team and creating a fun and thriving work environment at AstraZeneca. I have a deep-seated belief that everyone should bring their whole self to work, so I work every day to foster a culturally diverse and inclusive work environment. I am a strong champion for bringing global inclusion and diversity programs to our site to build cultural awareness and intelligence.
I earned my Master’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and my Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
I am passionate about process and manufacturing operational excellence at AstraZeneca. Operational excellence for me isn’t a finish line; it is the starting point for continuous improvement that pushes the boundaries of science, technology, digital factory, and our teams forward to meet the needs of our patients.
2019 AstraZeneca Operations Team Award Lean Category
CURRENT ROLE
Operational Excellence Strategy and Manufacturing Back to Basics
Robust 5000L Double Batch Process
Reactor configuration redesign
Featured publications
Making Medicines For The Future
Shichtman, Sandra H. “Making Medicines For The Future.” Woman Engineer, Vol. 42, No. 3, Spring 2022, pp. 20-23. https://bt.e-ditionsbyfry.com/publication/frame.php?i=746819&p=&pn=&ver=html5
Veeva ID: Z4-56961
Date of preparation: September 2023